Budget 2005: More court security and improvements

Courts got funding for more security guards and to improve their operations in today's budget.

Courts Minister Rick Barker announced 18 new security officers for Whangarei, Napier and Wanganui, which do not currently have security officers, and additions to staff in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, at a cost of about $1 million a year.

There have been several recent cases of security breaches at courts -- this month a man threw a chair at a defendant in Porirua District Court.

Analyses of 68 serious incidents in 2003 showed 22 were minimised because there was a security officer present, Mr Barker said.

Security officers confiscated 1000 items -- ranging from weapons to spray cans -- and removed 200 people causing problems at courts.

"People must feel safe when using the court system.

"We want to ensure the public trusts our justice institutions by improving security and reducing extra stress when possible."

Justice Minister Phil Goff announced $156.5 million in additional funding to ease pressures courts were facing over the next four years.

The funding followed a review which found workloads had substantially increased.

The money would go to:

* court operations ($25.2 million);

* maintenance and improvements ($17m);

* upgrading information technology ($59m);

* policy development ($14m) and;

* staff and management resources ($25.3m).

"The funding will be targeted at streamlining court processes and improving the timeliness of hearings through better scheduling and technology," Mr Goff said.

"More resources will be put into training management and staff in decision-making, the judiciary will gain enhanced research assistance and administrative support and all court users can expect clearer information."

- NZPA